New $150 million DFO opens its doors in Perth

Australia’s leading premium outlet destination has been unveiled to the Western Australian (WA) community today as the new DFO Perth officially opened its doors for the first time.

The new $150 million joint venture between Vicinity Centres (Vicinity) and Perth Airport, constructed over 15 months, will bring an unrivalled outlet shopping experience to WA.

The new centre was opened this morning by John Carey MLA, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, Perth Airport Chairman, Nev Power and Vicinity Centres Executive General Manager Development, Carolyn Viney who welcomed new customers, retailers and the Perth community.

Located in the Perth Airport precinct and stretching across approximately 33,000 sqm (24,000 GLA), DFO Perth features 113 international and Australian brands, a casual dining precinct, a children’s playground, and 1,500 car park spaces including two electric vehicle charging bays.

Ms Viney said the newly-built DFO Perth represented an exciting step for the DFO brand in Australia and another significant chapter in Vicinity’s long-term investment in the WA economy.

“We’re thrilled to be launching a brand new centre and the sixth DFO in our national portfolio today, in partnership with Perth Airport,” Ms Viney said.

“Outlet shopping is the fastest growing sector in the industry and, with sales up more than five per cent over the past year, the time was right to bring the DFO brand to Western Australia.

“With more than 17 million people across the country visiting a DFO centre every year, we expect DFO Perth will be warmly welcomed by Western Australians as well as visitors to this great state.

“We know the people of Perth have been eagerly anticipating the opening of this centre. We are delighted to have created a place where they, and the more than two million international and domestic visitors who visit Western Australia every year, can experience premium outlet shopping,” Ms Viney said.

Ms Viney said DFO in Australia had evolved from a basic outlet centre to a market-leading destination with up to 70 per cent off every day of the year appealing to savvy customers looking for high-quality fashion and lifestyle brands at competitive prices.

Ms Viney said DFO Perth would contribute about 650 new, ongoing jobs in retail and services to the local economy, in addition to the 250 jobs created during construction. DFO Perth represents the latest investment in the WA economy by Vicinity Centres and follows the recently completed major redevelopment of Mandurah Forum.

Perth Airport Chairman Nev Power said the opening of DFO was a big step forward in the development of the Airport West Retail Precinct. “The precinct will arguably become one of Perth’s premium retail destinations, unrivalled anywhere in the metropolitan area - and DFO Perth is at the centre of that.

“Perth Airport is now a major employment centre and being involved in projects and developments such as DFO, which support jobs growth and economic activity, has become a very important part of our business.

“We have undertaken significant investment in commercial and industrial property developments and this wonderful $150 million development, in partnership with Vicinity Centres, is a prime example of our commitment to supporting the WA economy,” Mr Power said.

DFO Perth Centre Manager Leanne Smith said Perth now had a true, one-stop premium outlet experience for the whole family and was looking forward to seeing the reactions from customers and retailers throughout the day.

“We’ve been delighted to see excitement building for the past few months, with buzz about our brands and the DFO experience finally coming to WA,” Ms Smith said.

“DFO Perth’s launch celebrations will continue tomorrow and throughout the weekend, with the centre and a range of retailers treating customers to exclusive offers, entertainment and giveaways.”